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It’s just about that time of year. Commencement is in sight and many soon-to-be college graduates are actively hunting for a job. In a new research study – The Rising Cost of Not Going to College – released in February 2014 by Pew Research Center, college graduates were asked whether, while still in school, they could have better prepared for the type of job they wanted by gaining more work experience, studying harder or beginning the job search earlier. ������ý���� three quarters of all college graduates surveyed say taking at least one of these steps would have enhanced their chances of landing their dream job. First on the list: getting more work experience while still in school. 

Kevin Fallon, ������ý����’s Director of Career Services, concurs with the results of this research, and strongly advises students to become familiar with Career Services long before they are thinking about their cap and gown.

“One of the roles of a great education is to prepare students for their future career,” Fallon says. “We want that journey to begin during a student’s first semester of freshman year.” 

Fallon said he and his staff will help students explore their interests, identify an academic path, secure impressive hands-on experience through internships and co-ops, and develop job-search skills that will not only enable students to land their first job but will also help them manage their career progression long after they leave campus. 

������ý����’s Office of Career Services offers a host of services for students and alumni alike. Resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, interviewing techniques, workshops and a variety of related educational sessions are all available on the journey to landing a great job. 

“Every year, more than a 1,000 ������ý���� students complete internships, co-ops and field placements,” Fallon says. “This experience can be critical to those wishing to stand out from the competition for future employment opportunities.” 

To assist students with all facets of career planning, Career Services recently launched a new, comprehensive website at www.rider.edu/careerservices. There you can find open jobs and internship opportunities, upcoming events and workshops, read about successful ������ý���� graduates who are now gainfully employed in their chosen field, and use interactive tools to create documents such as resumes and cover letters. 

“We put a lot of thought and effort into creating this new site,” Fallon said. “We want this to be a vital resource for our students and alumni to find all of the information they might need to start or continue their personal and professional development.” 

To further aid current students and alumni, Career Services has planned a large Career Fair to be held Thursday, March 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center (SRC) on the Lawrenceville campus. 

“We have really stepped up our employer outreach this year,” Fallon explains. “As a result, we will see an increase in the number of employers who will be attending our career fair, as well as on-campus interviewing activity.” 

In fact, close to 100 employers will be on hand to recruit students at the Career Fair, which gives students in-person access to recruiters from diverse organizations who are interested in hiring ������ý���� students and alumni. 

Fallon says employers hail from around the mid-Jersey region, and are looking to meet students at all levels and from all majors for full and part-time jobs, as well as internships. “Students and alumni will have a chance to network and give recruiters a summary of their background,” Fallon says.